Part 1: CUTV News Radio spotlights Lonnie Liggitt

Anchorage, AK – Lonnie Liggitt is the president of Horace Hopper's Musical Adventures, Inc. Horace Hopper offers children from pre-K to 6th grade incredible musical adventures for the keyboard or computer that they can use at home or in the classroom. With Horace Hopper, students are free to really explore what the piano can do; they are free express themselves, making music the profound experience it’s meant to be.

“As a child learning something new, you’re always playing somebody else’s music or ideas,” says Liggitt. “So from the very beginning I have the students start writing their own music.”

According to Liggitt, when you can pair music education with early childhood education, it’s one of the most effective ways to engage a child in the educational process, no matter what level of development they may be. Horace Hopper stimulates creativity and interest in children through musical painting, different languages, sampled drums and orchestral instruments.

Liggitt has been involved in research in early childhood education for 15 years. His work, funded through private foundations, state grants and with venture capital, investigates the relationship between his music applications and the communication skills of higher functioning autistic and Asperger's Syndrome diagnosed children.

“For the first time in my life, I feel like I am doing something I’d like to be remembered for,” says Liggitt. “I’ve performed in concerts all over Europe and in New York and universities, but it wasn’t until I discovered how you can help turn kids around, especially autistic kids. Music can be like traveling through outer space. It draws you in.”

For more information, visit http://www.horacehopper.com